Susan Shailer was one of the twelve children of George Shailer (c1846-1918), one time photographer of Palmerston North, and his wife Septuagesima (c1849-1921). The couple, with their four eldest daughters, arrived in New Zealand from England 1874. Susan married a local settler’s son, John David Smith. From left: Beatrice Shailer; Clara Shailer; Susan Shailer; Ada Shailer; Elizabeth Shailer (all sisters of the bride).